CHRIS STEVENSON, QMI Agency

(OK, some of you would argue a guy who scored only seven goals while getting first-line minutes this season thinks every goalie is great. Point made.)

The Montreal Canadiens forward has been blessed to play in front of some pretty good 'keepers: Martin Brodeur in New Jersey, Henrik Lundqvist with the New York Rangers and, a year ago, a front-row seat for Jaroslav Halak's performance during the first two playoff rounds with the Habs.

He has come to expect his goaltenders to play at that high a level. Now he's putting teammate Carey Price on the same plateau after a great regular season and a 31-save shutout against the Boston Bruins in the opening game of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal Thursday.

Not that he takes Price for granted.

"You're probably asking the wrong guy because I've just never known anything else (but having great goaltending)," Gomez said. "People don't realize (Price) has probably got the hardest job, definitely, in the hockey world. If you really look at the politics of it, to be the goaltender in Montreal, you've got to have a big set.

"You look at all the ones who have had success and that kid is right up there.

"I think he's at the level now where he's one of the best in the world. He has got that presence.

"Whether he likes it or not, he has set the bar that high. He has been waiting for this."